Tourism Minister Inaugurates First ‘We Park’ in Kollam

KOLLAM:
Tourism Minister PA Mohamed Riyas inaugurated the ‘WE Park’ located under the railway bridge near SN College, Kollam, on Saturday.

WE Park is the first project completed under the Kerala Government’s new design policy, which aims to beautify and enhance the productivity of unused urban spaces.

The park has a shuttle court, volleyball court, skating area, chess block, garden, seating arrangements, open gym, parking facility, basic amenities and kiosks.

Finance Minister KN Balagopal, J Chinchu Rani, Minister for Animal Husbandry & Dairy Development, NK Premachandran MP, and Kollam Corporation Mayor Honey Benjamin were the chief guests of the inaugural function.

M Noushad MLA presided over the function.

The project, which started in 2023, was completed at a cost of Rs 2 crore within a land area of 70 cents.

“The WE Park project, initiated by the Tourism Department, reflects our vision of contributing to a design-driven economy. We aim to transform unused or abandoned public spaces into creative areas for gatherings and activities, thereby adding value to these locations,” said Mohamed Riyas.

“The WE Park project will serve as a stepping stone for advancing the Tourism Department’s other initiatives under the design policy, which will significantly enhance our urban spaces,” he added.

The design policy envisioned for PWD and Tourism departments will utilise more urban spaces in the coming years and transform such spaces into vibrant and creative public spaces that would elevate the tourism experience of the state.

Vishnu Raj, Additional Director (General), Tourism Department, and SK Sajesh, Chairman, Kerala Tourism Infrastructure Ltd, were also present at the inaugural function.